A carpet of fresh rosemary and handfuls of fragrant rose petals formed part of the welcome that Calle Socovos laid on for the visit by the statue of Our Lady of Hope to Calasparra last Sunday.
Every year the residents of the town join the traditional pilgrimage from the Sanctuary, over the hills to Calsasparra, in procession with the statue, which rests in St. Peter´s Church for the month of May.
Although Calle Socovos tends to form the heart of the informal welcome, rose petals rain down from balconies all along the procession´s route around the town and banners abound.
The formal welcome consists of a meeting with the two statues of the patron saints, Abdon and Senen, outside the gates of the local football stadium, accompanied by music and dance from the OAPs music group, La Rondalla.
The local priest, José Manuel Martínez Rosique, gave the traditional blessing.
